Buddy's Place Program Update

Buddy's Place will begin a virtual adult/caregiver support group on April 21st via an online platform. Monthly Gatherings will include “at home” activities that can take place on the 2nd Monday of the month.

Buddy’s Place/Childhood Grief

Grief is not a problem to be solved. It does not have a time limit. It doesn’t happen in simple-to-define stages. We don’t just “get over it.” It is something we work through.

Grief is felt by a large percentage of children: An estimated 1 out of 15 children in the U.S. will experience the death of a parent or sibling before they reach the age of 18. Over 4.8 million youth are bereaved, and the number more than doubles by age 25, to 12.7 million. All too often, children are forgotten grievers. Some feel they are not old enough to feel loss. But if a person is old enough to love, then that person is also old enough to mourn and to grieve.

Since 2000, our Buddy’s Place childhood bereavement program has offered family-based support groups to children and teens ages 4-18 and their families who are grieving the death of someone significant in their lives. We are committed to providing a safe, accepting, and supportive environment where each family can come and express their grief and connect with others in a group setting. There is no charge to attend the programs offered by Buddy’s Place. Services include:

Monthly Support Groups The Buddy’s Place Monthly Gathering group meets on the second Monday of each month to share a meal and work together on a creative, grief-related project. Note: You do not have to attend the 8-Week Session to attend Monthly Gatherings. All Monthly Gatherings are on hold, per public health guidance to reduce group activities and increase social distancing.

8-Week Session Buddy’s Place offers an 8-week support group each spring and fall. While children and teens engage in goal-oriented activities that are age-appropriate, parents and caregivers participate in a group focused on understanding children’s grief and how to better help the children work through it. The Spring 2020 session will be held virtually and will begin on April 21.

Grief Counseling Pillars Community Health clinical staff are also available to provide individual and family counseling for people of all ages who are grieving a death.

Volunteer Volunteers participate in training to help grieving children, teens, and their families in a variety of ways, including Greeter, Group Facilitator, and Childcare through Buddy’s Place. Programs take place on Monday and Tuesday evenings, so it is important for volunteers to have availability at those times. Learn more about volunteering.

This health center receives HHS funding and has Federal Public Health Service (PHS) deemed status with respect to certain health or health-related claims, including medical malpractice claims, for itself and its covered individuals.